Yi Xiang Yuan
宜香園
Address
No. 161, Section 2, Zhongshan Road, Yilan City, Yilan County, 260
City
YilanA Yilan institution serving traditional Taiwanese dishes with a focus on seafood and local ingredients, Yi Xiang Yuan represents the kind of family restaurant where locals celebrate special occasions and bring visiting relatives to show off regional specialties. The menu is extensive, covering everything from simple braised pork rice to elaborate seafood platters, but what ties it all together is the use of fresh Yilan ingredients - vegetables from nearby farms, seafood from the northeast coast, local duck and chicken. Their signature dishes include steamed fish prepared with ginger and scallions (again showcasing those famous Yilan scallions), three-cup chicken with generous basil, and various seasonal vegetable preparations that change based on what's best at local markets. The portions are generous in that Taiwanese family-style way where ordering for a group means the table will be completely covered with dishes. The restaurant has been around long enough to have served multiple generations, and you'll see families with grandparents, parents, and children all enjoying meals together. Service is friendly in that warm Taiwanese hospitality way, with staff happy to recommend dishes or adjust preparations for dietary needs. It's not fancy, but it's reliable, flavorful, and captures the essence of Yilan's food culture in a comfortable sit-down restaurant setting.
Foods Available Here
Braised Pork Rice
Minced pork rice is a Taiwanese style rice dish commonly seen throughout Taiwan and China's Fujian province. The flavor may vary from one region to another, but the basic ingredients remain the same: ground pork marinated and boiled in soy sauce served on top of steamed rice.
Roasted Duck
Succulent duck roasted until the skin is crispy and the meat tender, often served chopped into pieces with rice and pickled vegetables. This dish showcases traditional Chinese roasting techniques adapted to Taiwanese tastes, with the duck typically seasoned with five-spice and other aromatics before being slow-roasted to perfection.
Chicken Rice
The Taiwanese rendition of chicken rice generally features shredded chicken and chicken oil over white rice. Chicken rice is often eaten as a lunchtime set with egg and vegetables, but can be enjoyed at any time of the day - even breakfast. Many flock to Chiayi to eat chicken rice where it is most famous.